Animal Ordinances in Lakewood, OH (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Lakewood, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lakewood allows up to six female chickens (hens) by annual permit in R1 and R2 residential districts, with a citywide cap of 50 permits. Roosters, other game birds, and most livestock (goats, sheep, swine, etc.) are prohibited as 'dangerous animals' under Section 505.18.
Up to 6 Hens by Permit; Roosters and Livestock Banned
Heavy RestrictionsLakewood, OH Codified Ordinances Sec. 505.18(e) (Certain Animals Prohibited - hen-keeping exemption)
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, female chickens ('hens,' for the purpose of this subsection (e)), may be kept in the City only in accordance with the following regulations: (1) Zoning Districts. Hens may be kept only in an R1 Residential Single-Family or R2 Residential Single- and Two-Family District. (2) Application, Permit and Renewal. Before the keeping of hens may occur, an annual per...
Dog Leash Laws
Lakewood requires all dogs to be leashed when off owner property under LCO 505.08 and ORC 955.22. Leash must be held by a competent person. Lakewood Park dog park is the only off-leash area.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Rev. Code § 955.22 (Vicious, dangerous, and nuisance dog acts)
No owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog that is not an animal shelter for dogs shall negligently, and no animal shelter for dogs that keeps or harbors a dog shall recklessly, fail to prevent the dog from committing a vicious dog act. Whoever violates this division is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree on each subsequent offense. ...
Breed Restrictions
As of April 2018 Lakewood repealed its pit-bull ban and no longer has any breed-specific legislation. All dogs are welcome, but Chapters 505 and 506 impose behavior- and bite-history-based classifications, and Section 505.18(b) still bans wolves and wolf hybrids.
No Breed-Specific Law; Behavior-Based Dangerous-Dog Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Lakewood, Division of Animal Control FAQs (Chapters 505 & 506, rev. April 2, 2018)
Lakewood no longer has breed specific legislation. All dogs are welcome in Lakewood. Instead, new, rigorous classifications for and restrictions on dogs are based upon their behavior and bite history, and the new animal ordinance applies to 'all dogs' and may be found in revised Chapter 505 and 506.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping in Lakewood is permitted in residential zones with registration through the Ohio Department of Agriculture under ORC 909. Hives must be setback from property lines and not create a nuisance under LCO Chapter 505.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, large constrictors) are banned in Lakewood under ORC 935. Common exotic pets (ferrets, reptiles under thresholds, parrots) are allowed under LCO 505.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Revised Code Section 935.02 - Possession of dangerous wild animal prohibited
(A) No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of section 935.06 of the Revised Code, no person shall acquire, buy, sell, trade, or transfer possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal on or after the effective date of this section. (2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a person that op...
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wildlife (deer, raccoons, feral cats, waterfowl) is discouraged in Lakewood and can trigger nuisance citations under LCO 505 and 551. Bird feeders are allowed but must not create rodent conditions under the Property Maintenance Code.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Lakewood sets no flat numerical cap on dogs or cats per household. Instead, under Section 505.12 a court may limit the number of animals in a dwelling if it finds that an excessive number constitutes a nuisance.
No Fixed Pet Limit; Court May Cap Animals as Nuisance
Few RestrictionsLakewood, OH Codified Ordinances Sec. 505.12(c) (Specific Animal Nuisance Conditions Prohibited)
In addition to the penalty provided in Sections 505.11 and this section, the court may upon proper evidence, limit the number of animals in any single-family dwelling, or any separate suite in a two-family dwelling, multi-family dwelling or apartment within the City should the court deem that an excessive number of animals harbored within such an area constitutes a nuisance. The terms 'dwelling...
Looking for Cuyahoga County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Cuyahoga County →